New garage represents big step towards transit village

New garage represents big step towards transit village

Garage will help pave the way for 1,800 new homes, shopping and hotel at Dublin Transit Center

BART passengers will soon be able to step off their train at the Dublin/Pleasanton Station and take a short stroll to a spectacular transit village filled with 1,800 new homes, convenient shopping and a plush hotel.

The first major step toward that vision began October 27, 2006 as BART and its project partners broke ground on a new parking garage, which BART will use to replace the current parking lot where the new Dublin Transit Center is being built. The ambitious project is a team effort involving BART, Alameda County, the City of Dublin, and three housing developers.

"Today we are planting the seed for a big idea," said BART Director Zoyd Luce. "The new parking structure at Dublin/Pleasanton represents what we at BART hope will be the future of smart development."

Joining Director Luce at the groundbreaking were Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty, City of Dublin Mayor Janet Lockhart and representatives of the development team.

BART expects to complete the new 1,513-space garage and renovation in the Spring of 2008.

TRANSIT CENTER WILL FEATURE HOUSING & SHOPSThe new garage on the north side if the station is the cornerstone to creating a transit-oriented community at the Dublin Transit Center that will ultimately include 1,800 homes, a village green, retail shops, a hotel, and 1.7 million square feet of offices, all within a short walk of the BART Station.

Upon completion of the parking garage, the majority of the existing surface parking lots will be redeveloped with over 800 high-density homes within a block of the BART station entrance. The existing BART entrance plaza will also be renovated to make it more inviting to the transit riders.

"The new BART garage and plaza is more than just about convenient parking for BART patrons, it is also about providing convenient access to BART and better use of the land adjacent to the BART Station. That's Smart Growth! The future residents and workers at Dublin Transit Center will generate thousands of BART riders that won't be dependant upon their cars," said Alameda County Surplus Property Authority Director Patrick Cashman.

ALAMEDA COUNTY SURPLUS PROPERTY AUTHORITY FUNDINGThe Dublin Transit Center is the result of 15 years of collaboration and partnership between BART, Alameda County and the City of Dublin. The $42 million BART parking garage and BART plaza are being built and funded by the Alameda County Surplus Property Authority, using adjacent development land sale proceeds, combined with grants of $6,300,000 from the Alameda County Congestion Management Agency (ACCMA), $6,000,000 from the City of Dublin and $750,000 from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC).

DUBLIN TRANSIT CENTER CONSTRUCTION WELL UNDERWAYConstruction on the Dublin Transit Center is well underway. Four separate projects, containing nearly 1,000 units of high-density housing and retail space, are in various stages of construction. EAH is nearing completion of Camellia Place, a 112 unit affordable housing development. EAH already has received over 330 applications and plans on residents moving in January, 2007. DR Horton is finishing the construction of the 257 unit Elan at Dublin Station luxury condominium project with the first residents to move in by the end of November. DR Horton has a second condominium development, the 300 unit Metropolitan, which will feature ground-floor retail shops and cafes, scheduled to get underway next year.

"Elan sets a high standard for an urban lifestyle in a commute friendly suburban location. The combination delivers much of the best of the Bay Area via BART, bike , or on foot" says DR Horton Urban Development Manager Dean Mills.

AvalonBay is constructing the Avalon at Dublin Station, a 305 apartment home development with ground-floor retail, and plans on occupancies to begin in late 2007. AvalonBay is also the construction manager for the BART garage and has the rights to build another 405 units on the majority of the existing BART surface parking lots when the BART garage is completed.

GARAGE QUICK FACTS

1,513 spaces

Expected completion: Spring 2008

Garage will replace parking lots where new housing will be built

$42 million cost funded by Alameda County Surplus Authority and grants